Game preview: Vancouver vs. Columbus

Saturday

Apr 30, 2011 at 12:01 AMApr 30, 2011 at 11:39 AM

Despite its scoring woes and the bad vibes that come with disgruntled players, the Crew is unbeaten in five consecutive games. Expect that streak to continue with three points at home against the expansion Whitecaps and their leaky defense.

7:30 tonight

• Where: Crew Stadium

• TV: ONN (in HD on Time Warner Ch. 1311)

• Radio: WTVN-AM (610), WVKO-FM (103.1, in Spanish)

• Records: Vancouver 1-3-3, six points (tied for seventh in Western Conference); Columbus 2-1-3, nine points (tied for third in Eastern Conference)

• On the Whitecaps: Designated player Eric Hassli will serve a yellow-card suspension. F Atiba Harris (right knee surgery) and D Jay DeMerit (groin) - a member of the U.S. World Cup team - will not play. Vancouver signed veteran MF Peter Vagenas on Tuesday. The Whitecaps will play their third game in eight days. Vancouver is tied for the MLS lead in goals (10), but also in goals allowed (12).

• On the Crew: The Crew has allowed 9.2 shots per game, second to New York (8.5). The Crew will honor the NCAA champion Akron Zips at halftime. Columbus has scored three of its five goals with a man advantage. MF Eddie Gaven and wife, Paula, welcomed their first child, Zachary Edward, on Wednesday.

• How it might play out: Despite its scoring woes and the bad vibes that come with disgruntled players, the Crew is unbeaten in five consecutive games. Expect that streak to continue with three points at home against the expansion Whitecaps and their leaky defense.